IT Sector Leads the Pack as Pakistan Registers 5,003 New Companies in a Month

Pakistan's Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP) recorded 5,003 new companies during October, increasing the total registered businesses to 321,794. Ninety-nine percent of these entities were registered online, with 55.4 percent being private limited and 41.6 percent single member. Punjab saw the highest number of registrations at 2,663, followed by Islamabad (934) and Sindh (751).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Balochistan each reported 382, 162, and 111 new companies, respectively. The information technology sector dominated new registrations, with 991 companies established, trailed by 767 in trading, 594 in services, and 295 in construction. The food and beverages, tourism, and real estate sectors followed with 219, 213, and 170 new companies, respectively.

Foreign investors participated in the newly incorporated firms, with 173 investors from countries including China, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Canada, Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands. Of these, 5 were foreign corporate entities. Women's participation as shareholders and directors was at 13 percent.

SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu attributed the surge in registrations to growing investment and emphasized that the increase in companies will lead to more employment opportunities.